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Wellsprings
hindu-cosmosWe're still mapping where this idea was first discussed. Key passages and related ideas below.

Tattva 33 — Air (Vāyu)

Air and wind: the element of motion, second of the five great elements.

Vāyu is the gross element of air — the second of the five great elements, the principle of movement, wind, and everything gaseous. It is denser than space but still light and mobile, and it carries the quality of touch. In the descent of the tattvas it unfolds from the subtle element of touch, taking the manifestation one step further toward solidity.

Key passages(10)

Tantrasāra · Abhinavagupta

High

Vaiśeṣika-sūtra · Kaṇāda

High

Chāndogya Upaniṣad · Vedic Revelation (śruti)

High

Paramārthasāra · Abhinavagupta

High

Praśna Upaniṣad · Vedic Revelation (śruti)

High

Tantrasāra · Abhinavagupta

Moderate

Chāndogya Upaniṣad · Vedic Revelation (śruti)

Moderate

Bhagavad-gītā · Vyāsa (Yoga-bhāṣya commentator)

Moderate

Praśna Upaniṣad · Vedic Revelation (śruti)

Moderate

Tarka-saṃgraha · Annaṃbhaṭṭa

Moderate